by J. L. Madore
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
By morning the mirror was up and the elders were ridding their petty little lives of the evils which had descended upon them. I couldn't give a shit if that included Lexi and me, but it pissed me off Aust was on that list.
Galan threw Tham his satchel and picked up one end of Aust's trunk. "There are those of us who love you for everything you are and marvel at your gifts, brother mine."
Lexi laced her fingers with Aust and pulled him toward the floor-to-ceiling, antique mirror. "Trust us. Dive in to your Ambar Lenn and you'll see that starting over is the perfect opportunity to strike a new path and create a life you've only dreamed of."
The portal gate shimmered like a still lake in moonlight. Its glassy depth rippled across the mirror's surface as the magic took hold. A low rumble from the floor built in intensity until the ebony surface began to undulate like waves of evaporating moisture rising under the summer sun. The Council room antechamber filled with blinding, white light followed by the fragrant scent of honeysuckle and raindrops.
I inhaled deep and laughed out loud at Galan's expression. "Stop worrying. Lexi and I have been travelling by portals for twenty years. It's perfectly safe."
"Especially with Julian on the other end," Lexi said.
"Why especially?" Galan looked from Lexi to me. "What might happen when Julian is not on the other end?"
"Stop being such a chicken." I laughed. Lexi and I took their hands and dragged their Highborne hineys through the mirror. "Fate's Journey, remember?"
Safely on the other side we gave the Elves a minute. They looked faint, but it was more nerves than traveling by portal mirror. Flashing would leave people disoriented the first few times: nausea, the whirling sounds in their ears, the pressure in their lungs, but portal mirrors were no different than walking through an open doorway.
While they settled, I met Julian at the console.
"Welcome home, sistas." Julian got up and knuckle bumped the two of us. He wasn't the warrior type that made up most of the men in our household. Julian was the brains of the operation. He was fit, but not bulky, and his soft mocha skin highlighted his mint-green eyes. "Gentlemen, this is Julian Sandler, gatekeeper and overall network and computer genius."
"And one of our adoptive brothers," said Lexi.
With their focus on Julian, the three of them fell quiet, eying him with curious glances. It dawned on me then that they were responding to Julian being black. After a moment, though, the Highbornes gave him a nod and said. "Merry meet."
Tham strode forward and clasped Julian's wrist. "I am Thamior and this is Galanodel, Aust and Faolan." He pointed in turn. "Gratitude for getting us here safely."
"Not a problem." Julian turned to me. "Reign wants to see you and Galan in his office at ten, so you have twenty minutes to drop your bags and get them settled."
"Did he say anything about Lia?" I asked.
"Not to me." Julian picked up a long PVC tube and a small oxygen canister. He didn't have any issues with breathing, so I guessed it was part of the ongoing prank war he was in with Cowboy and Nash.
"What's this going to end up being?" I asked, nosing through his box.
"Spudzooka," he laughed. Holding his box to his chest, he backed out the door and held it for the group. "With my own twist."
Outside, the Elves took a minute to absorb the surroundings. The differences were obvious at once. At Haven, it was warm not blistering, the forests were green and treed not impenetrable or tropical, and the air was refreshing, not hanging with moisture.
Lexi swept her hand across the landscape. "Originally the property housed only the main castle and stables, but over time additional buildings have scattered the grounds: a produce market, bakery, tavern, winery, butchery, observation gallery, guest cottages, hot springs. We're almost completely self-sufficient."
I pointed at the ivory obelisk in the distance. Jutting up above the tree line it stood stark against the pale blue sky, overseeing the Academy grounds. "Twenty-seven ward towers are disbursed around the mountain perimeter. They offer sentry points and enable us to monitor and block unauthorized activity on Haven grounds."
"So, the mountain is a sanctuary in its entirety?" Galan asked.
I nodded. "Reign established this as the first secured Safe Haven sanctuary when we were kids. That was also when he organized the Talon. The Academy of Affinities came later, about twelve years ago now. He wanted to provide a place where we could train members of the realm with affinities and give them a safe place to learn their craft."
"And everyone is peaceable?" Aust scrubbed his fingers through Faolan's ruff, scanning the surroundings.
"Locals and students can be aligned either Light or Dark. We teach acceptance, but in the event that there is a conflict Haven laws are absolute. We don't tolerate any wrongdoing and we enforce that. As a rule, our biggest problem is a bar brawl or a domestic disturbance, nothing that can't be worked out."
Following the cobblestone walk we made our way toward the castle and I continued my walking tour pointing down the mountain slope. "The town at the base of the mountain is grittier because travelers come and go freely. For now, it would be best to stay within Haven grounds."
I led them across the courtyard and gave them a minute to soak up the facade of the castle: seven stories of solid stone with leaded glass, turrets, towers and a formal keep. With their mouths agape, we led them up the wide stone steps.
"Jade?" Aust stopped just outside the threshold. "Is Faolan welcome?"
"Of course. This is your home now and Faolan is part of your life." With a gentle tug, I pulled him into the marble foyer. "Don't worry. You're going to love it here."
The main foyer had a 'Tudors' sort of magnificence. Built in the days of King Henry VIII, the castle was as impressive as it was impenetrable. Leaving the main entrance, the six of us climbed the gentle arc of winding stairs, following an elaborate mural toward a vaulted ceiling. Without question, the images depicted on our route rivalled the glory of the Sistine Chapel.
The Elves' eyes widened as they took it in. The realism of the murals brought the battles and triumphs of the Fae gods to life. The colors swirled in broad, powerful strokes of Prussian blue, scarlet, ochre, and forest green, the highlights and accents done in silver and gold leafing.
"The Aina Nosta?" Tham murmured.
"Yes, the Holy Birth of the Elven race." I pointed up ahead. "This one's the battle in the enchanted gardens of the Pixies where Castian was injured by Garekk the Vile, First Power of the Orcs." I climbed the steps and pointed to the next panel. "This is the sunset on the fifth day of their deadlock when Garekk's sword found purchase. Here are the seven drops of Castian's violet blood seeping into the enchanted soil."
"His immortal essence bound with nature itself to produce an enlightened race." Julian said. "Not a bad start for the Elves."
We continued upward. "This is Castian's banishment of Rheagan." Scrunching up her nose, Lexi pointed to the image of Castian transforming his sister into a tentacled beast and banishing her to the depths of the sea. "Look how hideous he made her."
"A personal sore spot for the Highbornes, even eight-thousand years later," Galan said. "Though the artistry is astonishing."
"The only sin your people committed was to follow a batshit Queen," Julian said.
As we followed our ascent to the fifth floor, horses reared, troops were slaughtered and pools of blood soaked into the soil. The battles captured the Realm of Fair's struggles for justice and the age-old conflicts between Light and Dark. When I closed my eyes the sweat of men and smoke of battle was almost detectable in the air.
Long ago I memorized every line of every form and yet it never failed to steal my breath. We stepped onto the fifth-floor landing and Julian led the way across the open foyer.
"All Academy lecturers and guests live on the fifth floor," he said. "Reign assigned you three the suite beside Jade's."
After checking my watch, I rushed through the highlights of
some of the shared common rooms. Galan stared, mouth agape, at the thousands of book spines standing floor-to-ceiling in the lounge. I pointed out the quiet area with club chairs and reading lamps on one end of the room and then turned to the three, wall-mounted plasma screens hanging on the opposite wall.
This section of the lounge was adorned with every electronic toy imaginable. I didn't even try to understand how it worked. The men living on the floor oozed testosterone whenever they discussed the hi-def-surround-sound-media-centre-input-blah-blah-stuff.
Whatever.
I didn't have the necessary anatomy to understand the allure. Aust and Tham came to life as they passed the televisions. Julian dropped his box on the table, plunked down on the sofa and turned on UFC. With his feet crossed on the coffee table, he gave a quick tutorial on how the remotes accessed the satellites. It was clearly nature versus nurture because three Highborne Elves, straight from an enchanted valley, glossed over with male techno-glaze.
"It is remarkable." Tham moved slowly to stand in front of the UFC action. He tapped the screen with his finger then peered behind the television where it hung on the wall. "What sorcery is this? Are these men trapped?"
Aust joined him. "What is the purpose of having people suspended within your home?"
Julian barked out a laugh. "They're not suspended. A cameraman is recording what they are doing. Images get transmitted to our TV through cables and we see it."
The Elves didn't look any less confused.
"Julian, pass me the clicker," I said, holding my hand out to my brother. "There are hundreds of programs running all the time, like picture books being sent to us. Aust, you'll like this." When I punched in the three digits to bring up Animal Planet his curiosity ratcheted. "This channel is all about animals of the modern realm. They usually run either half-candle or full-candle and tell you all about animals. See, this one's about the African big five."
"Sweet Shalana's grace." He ran a trembling finger over the cheetah racing across the screen after a gazelle. "And they come to no harm by this process?"
I shook my head. "No. None."
Galan lifted my hand by the wrist and pointed the clicker toward the TV. "Can you make something else appear?"
"Sure. Maybe you'd like this." I changed the channel to Much Music and they were equally absorbed. "This band is called The Black Eyed Peas."
"Oh, I love this song," Lexi squealed and started dancing around the lounge.
Tham chuckled and cocked his head. "None of them have black eyes."
I shook my head, tossed Julian the clicker and tore them away from the lounge. "That is the billiards room. Later we'll come back and Julian and I will show you how to play."
"Do you play this game, Lexi?" Tham asked.
"I'm too short, but Jade's good. She never tires of kicking ass and humiliating men."
I shrugged. "Not my most mature impulse, granted, but amusing none the less."
After a quick shuffle down the main corridor we ended the tour at their bachelor suite. I opened the arched wooden door, stepped aside and let them scope out their new digs. Their room was the same large rectangle as mine, minus the turret room which I used for meditation and the three twin beds against the wall to the left instead of my king-sized canopy.
The large sitting area had a fireplace and two sofas to the right. Directly in front of the door was a small round wooden table with four chairs and behind that, against the back wall, was a buffet counter with a small cook top and the accoutrements to make light meals.
"The dining hall on the main floor is staffed and open, any time day or night. If it's between two and five am, you'll have to go into the kitchen and help yourself."
Tham skated across the floors toward the two doors on the far, right wall. He explored each before bouncing back to the living room, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
I fought back a giggle. "The first room is your bathing room and the second is your dressing room. You'll find clean clothes and toiletries for the three of you. I believe Reign would have anticipated what you need. If we've forgotten anything, let me know." I looked at the clock. "Okay, Galan, we need to go. Lexi will help you settle in and we'll be back."
Galan nodded as he dropped his bag. "Very well, I am ready."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Who the Christ do ye think ye are? I've done everything ye asked, but no this!" Even if the venom in Samuel's words hadn't carried through Reign's office door the thickness of his brogue told me he was pissing mad.
"Watch yourself," Reign growled. "This isn't about you."
Galan and I stood silent outside the office. Students, hearing the cutting edge in my father's voice hurried down the halls and out of sight. Everyone knew Reign was vicious when challenged. I couldn't imagine why Samuel would speak to him like that. It was no different than poking a dragon with a spear.
"I don't give two shits about perceived injustice, Samuel. The decision is made."
"Decisions made, eh?" Samuel growled. "D'ye think I'm some mindless eedjit who'll follow orders and lick your arse after ye've shit on me? Well fuck you."
"Colorful, yet your outrage changes nothing."
"'Course not." A loud crash rang out. "Never has."
"You made your choices, Samuel. Lock down and get it done."
Heavy footfalls stomped toward the door. We stepped back as Samuel swung the thing nearly off the hinges. His shoulders stiffened when he saw us, the air crackling with aggression.
"Are you all right?" I asked him.
He glared at me, his eyes darkened to near black. "No Jade, far from it." After throwing Galan a hostile sneer he skulked off.
Reign filled the doorway, frame to frame, his muscled arms bulging beneath his black T-shirt. He gave me a sullen look then walked back into his office. "I'm glad you're home. Galan, welcome to Haven." He indicated for us to sit in the brown leather chairs that faced his oversized desk. "I take it the mirror is up and working well?"
"Perfectly," I said, my mind still spinning. "Julian's a marvel."
"That he is." Reign sat in his chair and leaned back, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I'll get right to it. Preliminary reports haven't turned up anything solid on your sister. Cowboy and Savage are working on something and I'll know more this afternoon. In the meantime, the Queens have requested an audience with Galan ASAP. Can you two be ready in an hour?"
"Of course."
"Good. I'll tell Lexi and Julian to help Aust and Tham get settled." He pulled out his phone and leaned his elbows onto his desk. I made no move to leave. "Is there something else?"
I drew my finger along the seam of the chair arm and tried to make my voice nonchalant. "What's up with you and Samuel?"
Reign held my gaze, his expression blanking out to a calm mask. "Administrative adjustments, nothing to concern yourself with."
Administrative adjustments my ass. I stared into his charcoal eyes and sighed. Reign wouldn't crack. That didn't mean he wasn't lying, just that he'd never admit it. "I know Samuel is always part of the excursion party, but since he's in a mood, do you think he should stay home?"
My gaze flicked sideways to where Galan sat beside me. Hearing there was nothing new with Lia had him practically vibrating out of his chair. He was back to that perma-scowl he'd worn the past few days. The last thing I needed was him and Samuel to hit head-on.
Reign stared at me and the hair on the back of my neck prickled. He had an eerie way of knowing things about my messed-up life long before I told him. He was like Yoda, only way bigger and not so green. When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not. His dark eyes glittered with amusement as my mind-wander spun. Was he tuned into my thoughts right now or did he just find his flitty daughter strangely bizarre?
"Don't worry about it," he said.
"Mhmm, it's not so much that I'm worried. I just don't want Galan and Samuel to wrestle each other to the asphalt and pound the crap out of one another in front of a bunch of Mundies."
; Galan looked at me like he thought that was a fine idea.
"They'll behave." Reign cocked a brow and locked Galan in a stare. He held him pinned in his sights until Galan finally nodded and adjusted the tie of his tunic. "Now, go see if you can make this one a bit less conspicuous. Samuel and I will meet you in the gatehouse in one hour."
I led Galan up to the storage room on the fourth floor beneath the main stairwell. Placing my hand flat over the brass lock-plate I waited for the metallic click.
The closet was twenty feet deep and sloped at the ceiling where the stairs angled over us. Floor-to-ceiling shelves and racks brimmed with clothing and costumes for travel into the Realm of Men or 'the modern realm' as we called it.
After closing the door behind us, I inventoried his body from head to toe. Uh-huh, who could complain about this assignment? Addressing the shelves, I selected a few items. I had to admit, I was looking forward to seeing Galan wearing tight jeans and a body hugging T-shirt or even better . . . not wearing them.
"Why must I change my attire?" he growled.
"The Gypsy Queens live in the Modern Realm. They've been trusted oracles and prophetic readers for years. They rarely leave the safety of their home."
"Do they have knowledge regarding Lia? Is that what this is about?"
"I hope so, but we'll have to wait and see."
"And we have to go to a modern city?"
"Yes, which is fine, except dressed like that amongst the human population you don't really blend." I ran a hand down his tunic and my heart pounded erratically. It always amazed me how soft the fabric of their clothing was.
"Is there something amiss with the way I dress?"
His suede skin pants were laced and tied at the front. They were body fitting and showed off his toned perfection from front to back and every curve and angle in between. His tunic dipped low to expose his strong line of his collarbone, a bare chest and just a hint of the ripples of his abs.